FA Cup is not City's salvation: Kompany

After beating Chelsea 2-1 in semi-final on Sunday, Manchester City skipper negates suggestions that team �s only success this season now hangs on winning the final against Wigan

Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany has rejected suggestions that his side’s entire season hangs on whether or not they can overcome Wigan Athletic in the FA Cup final.

Man City skipper Vincent Kompany

City defeated Chelsea 2-1 in the semi-finals on Sunday to reach their second final in three years, two years on from the 2011 success against Stoke City that ended the club’s 35-year trophy drought.

City failed to make it beyond Christmas in both the Champions League and the League Cup, and with Manchester United surging to victory in the Premier League, it leaves the FA Cup as their only chance of silverware.

However, with his side also in a comfortable position in second place in the league, Kompany sees no reason to be downcast about their performances this season.

“It is not a question of salvaging the season. You never know how good your season will be until after the last game,” he said. “It is important for our fans that we bring trophies back to Manchester.

Man City players celebrate a goal against Chelsea in the FA Cup semi-final on Sunday. Pics/AFP

If we achieve that this season, it is important we cherish it and be happy about it. You can always improve and we have another season to do that, so you shouldn’t look backwards.”

Goals either side of half-time from Samir Nasri and Sergio Aguero appeared to have set City on course for a comfortable victory at Wembley Stadium on Sunday, only for Demba Ba's 66th-minute goal to leave them hanging on.

In a tense denouement, Aguero was fortunate to escape punishment for an appalling two-footed stamp on Chelsea centre-back David Luiz, but City manager Roberto Mancini played down the incident.

“I didn't see it. I need glasses,” he joked. Mancini was rewarded for keeping faith with goalkeeper Costel Pantilimon, who has deputised for first-choice goalkeeper Joe Hart in the competition.

The Romanian produced several important saves, notably thwarting Juan Mata and Ba in quick succession at 2-1, and Mancini suggested that he would keep his place for the final on May 11.

“Costel did very well. He is a good keeper and deserves this situation because he has been here for two years and has done very well behind Joe Hart,” Mancini said.